EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Regular Meeting
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The Board of Directors of Everett Public Schools, Snohomish County, Washington, held a regular Board meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, beginning at 4:30 p.m., in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue, Everett, Washington. Those in attendance were Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen, Paul Roberts and Roy Yates. |
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION A closed session was held at 2:30 p.m. concerning a student discipline issue. Those in attendance were Roy Yates, Kristie Dutton and Karen Madsen. President Yates recessed the closed session at 4:30 p.m., to be resumed at the conclusion of the regular meeting.
| CLOSED SESSION—Student Discipline | |
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Yates called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Whitehead reported that the Board would be presented with a revised Personnel Report. In addition, she requested that an executive session concerning personnel, of approximately 30 to 45 minutes’ duration, be added at the end of the regular meeting, and before resumption of the closed session regarding student discipline. With that, Paul Roberts moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Karen Madsen moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Feb. 22, 2005. Paul Roberts seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Dr. Whitehead called on Terry Edwards, Executive Director for Curriculum Implementation and Alignment. Mr. Edwards announced that the District’s Director of Curriculum and Assessment Ric Williams has received the Art Mazer Award from the Washington Education and Research Association (WERA). Given periodically, this service award goes to WERA members who exemplify and demonstrate outstanding service to WERA and who have made a significant contribution in the field of educational research. The award is named for Dr. Art Mazer who was the founding father of the precursor organization of WERA. The Board congratulated Ric upon receipt of this significant award. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
President Yates, Board member Madsen and Dr. Whitehead were among those who
attended a recent luncheon at which 1964 Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills was
the featured speaker. Mr. Mills is a Lakota Sioux who overcame overwhelming
odds to win the 10,000 meter event. Mr. Mills was in town to meet with the
District’s track teams and speak to the community at an evening session.
The events were held as part of the District’s diversity emphasis. Mr.
Mills is a very inspiring and interesting person who has triumphed over many
obstacles in his lifetime.
Dr. Whitehead then read from a proclamation from Governor Gregoire announcing the week of March 14-18, 2005, as Classified School Employee Week (E:112/05). Dr. Whitehead went on to express her gratitude for the support and hard work of classified employees. They are appreciated at all times, she said.
Dr. Whitehead reported that kindergarten registration information and forms are available on the District website this year. The feedback from parents has been positive. She complimented staff for their hard work. Next, Dr. Whitehead referred to an editorial in the March 7, 2005, edition of The Seattle Times , in support of verifying teachers’ credentials and centralizing the screening of all salary-related degrees and training issues (attached). She noted that Everett is already very thorough about checking credentials.
In closing, Dr. Whitehead shared an editorial authored by Ben Soria, Superintendent of Schools in Yakima, which appeared in that city’s local newspaper (attached). Dr. Whitehead described Mr. Soria as her mentor and said the article speaks to the history of education in the state. She read from the first two paragraphs of the article which say, in part, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste or sex.” Unfortunately, an erosion of that patriotic intent is occurring. He closes the article by recommending that a study be commissioned to determine what constitutes basic education, and that work be done to identify a revenue source to fund basic education. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
PUBLIC COMMENT None. | PUBLIC COMMENT | |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES Lauren Hadley, Coordinator for Communications and Partnerships, reported that two retirees were on hand this evening: 1) Patricia “Trish” Coan—has been in Everett Public Schools for 32.5 years and at Jefferson Elementary School for 13 years—Jefferson’ s principal, Karen Reedy, said it is difficult to say goodbye to Trish; however, she has agreed to serve as a guest teacher next year. Trish has long been a supporter of outdoor education. She commented briefly, thanking her husband, John; daughters Gina and Monica; and son Greg for their love and support over the years. Future plans include traveling with her husband. President Yates thanked Trish for her years of service and presented her with a memento crystal apple. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
2) Jo Anne Robinson—has been in education for 29.5 years, 18.5 of them in Everett. Jo Anne worked at Cascade High School and, most recently, at Jackson High School. JHS principal Terry Cheshire and Assistant Principal Dave Peters spoke of Jo Anne’s involvement with the math community at the local, state and national levels. They described Jo Anne as a cheerful person with a positive attitude, and a great communicator with a strong sense of the building as a whole. Jo Anne spoke briefly. She said she has enjoyed her work in education and the many opportunities she has had. She introduced her husband, Bob; daughter Katie, husband Jeff and two boys, Andrew and Matthew; her oldest daughter, Jan; and her sister Gail. She also has two sons, one in Yakima and one in California, who could not be present tonight. President Yates thanked Jo Anne for her years of service and presented her with a memento crystal apple. | ||
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma introduced Executive Director of Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards who reported that the online high school program is in its third year and is designed to provide students other options for taking classes while also using technology. However, it is a challenge to offer such a program in a system that values seat time, yet online learning does not qualify for apportionment under seat time rules. In terms of progress being made at the state level, Terry reported that OSPI completed a study (within the state) of how to integrate technology and learning to standards through online processes. Currently, there are several bills in the Legislature to address online learning and providing apportionment, so the online learning program potentially has a bright future. |
PRESENTATION—ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL & HOMESCHOOL ALTERNATIVE | |
Terry introduced Sally Lancaster, administrator for the Online High School and Homeschool Alternative Programs. Via a PowerPoint presentation, Sally shared an overview of the Online High School Program which began during the spring of the 2002-2003 school year with an enrollment of nine students (credit recovery students) and four courses (E:113/05). In year two, 114 students were served—again, the focus was entirely on credit recovery students. For the spring of 2005, enrollment has been opened to all students in the District, with 311 students registered. Also during 2004-2005, an online symposium was hosted. It was well done and well attended. | ||
In the fall of 2004, a distributive network was established, involving a total
of five teachers at the four high schools. Sally described it as a sixth
period online class whereby a teacher was in the computer lab with the
students, but the students were taking classes from teachers across the
network. Thus, students were able to work on their class while also meeting
seat time requirements. This model provided a great deal of flexibility.
Sally discussed course distribution, success rates and student feedback about
online learning. Currently, nine of the 27 courses that are offered for credit
have been developed by the District. A number of districts (Peninsula, Tacoma
and Spokane) are interested in viewing Everett’s program. Sally also
discussed achievements of the program and future considerations.
When asked how teachers are recruited, Sally said a list of qualities of online teachers was developed, followed by discussions with the high schools, who then provided names of likely candidates. Terry said, just like classroom instruction, online learning involves curriculum and teachers, but students interact with the teacher through the computer, which is a huge difference from the commonly-held belief that students only interact with the computer during online learning. There are costs for course content and instructors. Fortunately, Everett has been able to develop a number of courses. In fact, 56 percent of the online classes for which students sign up are Everett’s classes. Additional curricula are purchased from Apex Corporation in the same way they are purchased for classroom instruction. There are two options for online learning: 1) after-school extended day program for which students pay tuition; and 2) onsite online courses whereby the District provides the high schools with additional staffing to cover the teacher costs and central administration pays for the content costs—therefore, it is at no additional cost to the high school, but helps lower class size and addresses scheduling issues. The extra staffing is handled the same as when it is provided for advanced placement or accelerated learning support. It is hoped to some day achieve a self-sustaining situation via cooperative agreements with other districts and use of the extended day program. However, it is challenging to get to that point if apportionment is not available.
When asked for clarification of the circumstances under which a student pays tuition, Sally said if a student already has six periods and wants to take an additional course, then they would need to pay tuition. When asked how OSPI can support the advancing of online learning, Karst said seat time would need to be addressed. When asked how students are helped who are repeatedly unsuccessful, Terry said other options are used, such as after-school tutoring, Read 180 and accelerated learning support, but many other options need to be available as well. Dr. Whitehead noted that online learning is another example of technology and instruction working together to meet the needs of some students. Use of funds from I-728 and Title V help pay for the online learning program. However, if the class occurs during the school day, then apportionment can be claimed. Karst and Terry complimented Sally and her team for their leadership in the District, the region and the State. Sally said it is important to give special recognition to Kevin Corbett who helped launch the program and has an exceptional understanding of content, technology and children. |
PRESENTATION—ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL & HOMESCHOOL ALTERNATIVE (cont’d.) | |
The attached proposed revised Policy 5406—Shared Leave Program (adding eligibility relative to the uniformed services), was provided to the Board for first reading, with approval to be requested at a future Board meeting (E:114/05). The revision reflects changes in the law. Communications and Partnerships Coordinator Lauren Hadley said the proposed revised policy was originally provided to the Board for first reading at the February 22, 2005, Board meeting. Since that time, a clarification of the definition of the law has resulted in further revision. Thus, the proposed revised policy was presented at tonight’s Board meeting for another reading, with approval to be requested at a future Board meeting. | PROPOSED REV. POLICY 5406—Shared Leave Program (adding eligibility relative to the uniformed services)—1st reading | |
ACTION ITEMS Paul Roberts moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda and Sue Cooper seconded the motion. | CONSENT AGENDA | |
The motion carried unanimously. |
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BOARD COMMENTS Board member Roberts showed materials he gathered from the recent Federal Relations Network (FRN) conference that he attended. The Board will route it among themselves.
Board member Madsen reported that she was among those attending the recent WASA/WSSDA legislative conference in Olympia where she had the opportunity to meet with Senator Schmidt and Representatives Lovick and Dunshee. During their conversations, she agreed to inform legislators when new bills come out of the House and Senate that involve unfunded mandates for education.
Board member Cooper thanked Ms. Madsen and Mr. Roberts for representing the Board at the conference. She attended Sunday afternoon’s sessions.
Dr. Whitehead reported that in the daily (and ever-changing) messages she receives from WASA, there is a belief that I-732 will be funded. If that comes to pass, it will require restructuring certain items in the District’s budget. She has also heard that funding for I-728 and LAP may become interchangeable in that funding for both will not be available—one wonders which will it be? Everett has approximately 55 employees funded out of I-728 and about 50 in LAP. |
BOARD COMMENTS
BOARD COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION With no further comments, President Yates recessed the regular meeting at 6 p.m. into an executive session for personnel. It was estimated the executive session would be of 30 to 45 minutes’ duration.
President Yates re-convened the regular meeting at 6:40 p.m. and adjourned immediately. He then immediately re-convened the Board deliberation portion of the closed session regarding student discipline that occurred from 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. earlier today. In attendance were Roy Yates, Kristie Dutton and Karen Madsen. Board members Cooper and Roberts were excused because they had not attended the earlier session.
President Yates ended the closed session at 7:10 p.m. |
Addendum--EXECUTIVE SESSION—PERSONNEL
Continuation of CLOSED SESSION—Student Discipline | |
___________________________ ________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary
Roy Yates, President |